Stair straight edge



Aug. 6, 1957 w. s. WOJDYLA 2,801,818

STAIR STRAIGHT EDGE Filed May 24, 1954 INVENTOR.

BY MM HM):

Wa/ferS. Wojdy/a 1 tat This invention relates to a tool for use in constructing masonry structures, such as stairs and the like, and more particularly to a novel adjustable straight edge having spaced adjustable supports.

The primary object of the present invention resides in the provision of a tool which can be conveniently and inexpensively constructed from sheet metal materials so as to be extremely light in weight while being sufliciently durable to hold a guide bar for use as a straight edge.

A further object of the invention resides in the pro vision of means for supporting a straight edge prior to the engagement of an upper clamping member thereover and which provides means for holding the upper clamping member conveniently in position.

Still further objects and features of this invention reside in the provision of an adjustable straight edge for use in constructing stairs that is strong and durable, simple in construction and manufacture, capable of being pro duced at a relatively low cost, thereby permitting wide distribution and utilization, and which is easy to utilize, thereby enabling stairs to be constructed in true alignment.

These, together with the various ancillary objects and features of the invention which will become apparent as the following description proceeds, are obtained by this stair straight edge, a preferred embodiment of which has been illustrated in the accompanying drawings, by way of example only, wherein:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of one of the adjustable supports comprising important elements of the present invention;

Figure 2 is a plan view of the stair straight edge; and

Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view of a portion of the adjustable support.

With continuing reference to the accompanying drawings wherein like reference numerals designate similar parts throughout the various views, reference numeral generally designates the stair straight edge comprising the present invention which is adapted to provide a planar face 12 against which bricks, as at 14, can be aligned in the construction of stairs and the like. The stair straight edge includes a guide bar 16 which is carried by a pair of adjustable supports 18 and 20 of identical construction. The support 20 includes a base 22 formed of sheet metal which has a standard 24 integrally formed therewith and upwardly struck therefrom forming the base 22 into a substantially U-shape to provide an adequate footing for the entire adjustable support 20.

Held against the standard 24 is a substantially L-shaped member 26 having a lower clamp plate 28 integrally formed with a riser 30, the riser 34) being provided with apertures 32 therethrough as well as a pair of notches 34 opening into the side edges. The lower clamp plate 28 has an aperture 36 therethrough. The L-shaped member 26 is clampingly held in engagement with the stand ard 24 by means of screw fasteners 37 which extend through the apertures 32 and on either side of the standard 24, and thence through apertures 38 in a backing plate 40. Nuts 42 are provided so that the L-shaped member 26 as well as the backing plate 40 may be held in clamping engagement with the standard 24 in a vertically adjusted position. Of course, slight loosening of the screws 2,891,818 Patented Aug. 6, 1957 37 will permit vertical adjustment of the IL-shaped member 26.

Received within the notches 34 are the hook-like portions 44 which extend downwardly from an upper clamp plate 46, the hook portions 44 extending at right angles to the upper clamp plate 46 and being integrally formed therewith. An aperture 48 is formed in the upper clamp plate 46 so that a bolt which extends through the aperture 36 may extend through the aperture 48 whereby the bar 16 may be clampingly held between the upper clamp plate 46 and the lower clamp plate 28 utilizing wing nut 50 which is engaged about the bolt 52.

It is to be recognized that the guide bar 16 can be positioned on the lower clamp plate 28 prior to the upper clamp plate 46 being positioned or inserted therebetween, since the hooks 44 will maintain the upper clamp plate 46 in position.

From the foregoing, the construction and operation of the device will be readily understood and further explanation is believed to be unnecessary. However, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. An adjustable support for use in carrying a guide bar comprising, in combination, a base, a standard formed integrally with and rising centrally from said base, a complemental substantially L-shaped member, said member including a vertical riser integrally formed with a horizontal lower clamp plate, said riser having a pair of opposed notches therein, an upper clamp plate paralleling said lower clamp plate and having depending hook portions, said hook portions being releasably engaged in their respective notches, a backing plate, fasteners securing said backing plate to said riser clampingly and adjustably engaging and binding said standard between said backing plate and said riser, and a screw fastener carried by and for clampingly engaging said upper and lower clamping plates with a guide bar.

2. An adjustable support for use in conjunction with a guide bar comprising, in combination, a base, a standard attached to and rising vertically from said base, a substantially L-shaped member complemental to and cooperable with said standard and embodying a horizontal plate forming a lower clamping jaw and a. vertically disposed riser in adjustable contact with the cooperating surface of said standard, said riser having vertical marginal edges provided with notches, there being a pair of notches and the latter being disposed opposite one another, a backing plate cooperatively contacting a rear surface of said standard, fasteners passing through said backing plate and an upper portion of said riser and cooperating with the latter and binding and clamping the standard therebetween, an upper clamping plate of a length slightly greater than and paralleling said first named plate and bolted thereto and providing a clamp, that end of said upper clamping plate adjacent to said riser having spaced depending hooks and said hooks being releasably seated in said notches and the latter constituting keepers for said hooks.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 966,801 Daisley Aug. 6, 1910 1,008,312 Deknatel Nov. 14, 1911 FOREIGN PATENTS 13,909 Great Britain June 18,. 1906 

